Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
March 11, 2026
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Jean Waterbury
Randy Vaas, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the rescheduled March meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Jean Waterbury will now be a voting member of the Town of Watertown Planning Board and Randy Vaas will be the alternate.
Motion 12-26: Motion by Mrs. Waterbury, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to reschedule the April meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. due to scheduling conflicts.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 13-26: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the January 28, 2026 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Dale Morse/Gregg Casselman – 20356 County Route 64 – Tax Map #90.18-1-13.41 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and evidence was provided that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:02 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:03 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
St. Lawrence Seaway/Verizon – Utility Pole NM 0/VZ68 – Adjacent to 20823 NYS Route 3 – Micro Wireless Communication Center – Site Plan/Special Use Permit
Evidence was provided that legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:03 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:04 p.m.
St. Lawrence Seaway/Greenwood Trust – 20356 County Route 63 – Tax Map #90.07-1-29.2 – Cell Tower.
This is a continuation of the public hearing originally held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The public hearing was reopened at 3:04 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:05 p.m.
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PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Mike Lundy – CWT Hatchery Expansion – T.I. Park – 20835 Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00.2-1.5 – Site Plan
Evidence was provided that legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:05 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was adjourned at the developers request and will reconvene on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
SUBDIVISION
Dale Morse/Gregg Casselman – 20356 County Route 64 – Tax Map #90.18-1-13.41 – 2 Lot Subdivision
A completed application, lot descriptions, and a short EAF were submitted. The plans meet all zoning requirements. Discussion followed.
Motion 14-26: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 2 lot subdivision for Dale Morse/Gregg Casselman, 20356 County Route 64, Tax Map #90.18-1-13.41 as shown on plans prepared by LaFave, White & McGivern, dated 1/14/26, File #2026C-02, Sheet 1 of 1, consisting of Lot B being 6.41 acres and the residual Lot A being 4.60 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
St. Lawrence Seaway/Greenwood Trust – 20356 County Route 63 – Tax Map #90.07-1-29.2 – Cell Tower.
The public hearing was kept open from last months meeting. No one wished to speak so the pub hearing was closed.
James LaValle, Young/Sommer LLC, on behalf of St. Lawrence Seaway/Greenwood Trust, was present. The Board reviewed to documentation that was submitted. Discussion followed.
Motion 15-26: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve site plan/special use permit for a cell tower for St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Partnership/Greenwood Trust, 20356 County Route 63, Tax Map #90.07-1-29.2 as shown on plans with a site name of I-81 Watertown, ID #17106214, MDG #5000932736, final revision dated 1/6/26, Sheets T-1, AD-1, SB-1, C-1A, C-1B, C-1C, C-2, C-3 drawn by Tectonic, Signed by Steven M. Matthews, Licensed Professional Engineer, and the photometric packet dated 2/27/2025.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Boxberger stated that there will be a negative declaration once all paperwork has been finalized.
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SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
St. Lawrence Seaway – Utility Pole NM 80/ VZ 68 – Adjacent to 20823 NYS Route 3 – Micro Wireless Communication Center
The Jefferson County Department of Planning comments dated 2/25/26 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
James LaValle, Young/Sommer LLC, on behalf of Verizon, was present. The Board reviewed the plans.
Motion 16-6: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan/special use permit for a micro wireless communication center located on Utility Pole #NM 80/VZ 68, Adjacent to 20823 NYS Route 3, as shown on plans for St Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership, with a site name of Watertown Town Center, ID #17106203, MDG #5000932735, Sheets T-1, GN-1, AD-1, C-1, C-2A, C-2B and C-3, drawn by Tectonic, signed by Manojkumar Patel, Licensed Professional Engineer, dated 12/3/25.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be needed.
SITE PLAN
North Country Performance/Martin’s Marina (Former KIA) – 18675 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.00-6-29.2 – Site Plan/Sign Permit.
Brandon Fults presented proposed signage for Martin’s Marina, 18675 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.00-6-29.2. Discussion followed.
Motion 17-26: Motion by Mrs. Waterbury, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to waive site plan for North Country Performance/Martin’s Marina at 18675 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.00-6-29.2 as there will be no changes to the outside of the building and approve a 6′ x 6′ monument sign as shown on plans labeled Page 1 and two banner signs on the building as shown on plans labeled Page 2 & Page 3.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Nick Morgia – County Route 60 – Tax Map #82.07-1-2.3 – Four (4) 30′ x 200′ Buildings & Outdoor Storage – Site Plan
No one was present.
Northern Federal Credit Union – (Former Red Lobster) – 20831 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-49.2 – Proposed Change to Bank – Site Plan
Neal Zinsmeyer, Napierala Consulting, on behalf of Northern Federal Credit Union, presented proposed plans for the construction of six vehicle drive-up ATM’s at 20831 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-49.2. The plans include accessing the property from the two existing driveways on the private road off the intersection of Route 3. The project also includes proposed greenspace/landscaped areas and lighting to enhance the site. A new sign will replace the existing Red Lobster sign and an additional sign will be place along the private road. Both sign will be lit. The proposed layout complies with the Town of Watertown’s zoning requirements. The existing Red Lobster Building will remain vacant at this time. Discussion followed.
Additional application fees need to be submitted.
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Motion 18-26: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. for Northern Federal Credit Union, 20831 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-49.2 for site plan.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This matter will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
Stewart’s Shop – 20557 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-37 – Proposed Gas Station & Convenience Store – Site Plan
Chuck Marshall, on behalf of Stewart’s Shop, presented preliminary plans for a Stewart’s Shop at 20557 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-37. These plans are very preliminary. This project is contingent upon the construction of a Town Road. There are many other issues that need to be addressed such as road frontage, highway cuts, water and sewer hook ups, and a signal light at the intersection. At this point there are more questions than answers.
Mr. Marshall will contact the Board when he receives more information.
Mike Lundy – CWT Hatchery Expansion – 20835 Alexander Drive – T.I. Ag Park – Tax Map #82.00-2-1.5 – 20,000 Square Foot Expansion to Existing Building.
Comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning were entered into record (Attachment #2).
• Mr. Boxberger stated that he needs more time to complete a comprehensive review of the SEQR application.
• Mr. Lundy will obtain a study from CWT on what the projected water use will be by adding the units and submit it to Mrs. Desormo as soon as possible.
• Mr. Lundy was asked to provide an anticipated schedule of truck pickups and drop-offs for this site.
• Mr. Lundy will also provide a study on the water quantity impact.
Mr. Lundy addressed two comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning:
• The temporary leach field is gone. It was a short-term holding point.
• The updated SWPPP was submitted at the last meeting.
SIGN PERMIT
Frontline Na, Inc. – 22620 Fisher Road – Tax Map #73.20-1-10.52 – Sign Permit
The board reviewed proposed signage resubmitted by Frontline Na, Inc. via email.
This is the former Metal Craft Building at 22620 Fisher Road. This was originally submitted on 8/8/25 but was never finalized. The sign will consist of a wall-mounted
36″ x 36″ sign mounted on the building. Directional ground signs were also submitted. Discussion followed.
Motion 19-26: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to grant sign approval to Frontline Na, Inc., 22620 Fisher Road, Tax Map #73.20-1-40.52 as shown on plans Labeled A, B, C, D signage for Frontline.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Motion 20-26: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mrs. Waterbury to adjourn the meeting 4:20 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary